10 problems that affect us if we do not limit procrastination

We understand as "procrastination" the tendency that some people have to postpone the work they have to do or leave for later any type of task that has been entrusted to them at that time.

It is a psychological phenomenon widely studied over the decades in the field of psychology, whose incidence can lead to problems of all kinds in the person who experiences it. But, focusing on practice… What impact does the fact of developing a tendency to procrastinate and not treating it in therapy have on our lives?

The effects of untreated procrastination

Below we will see what are the most common problems that can affect us if we do not limit procrastination.

1. Psychological affectation

Psychology professionals have come to the conclusion that there are a wide variety of psychological causes that favor the phenomenon of procrastination and that it cannot be explained in a unitary and monolithic way.

Some of the causes that explain procrastination are low self-esteem, psychological discomfort and also the fact of being exposed to high levels of anxiety or daily stress .

Similarly, the fact of prolonging the time to get down to work to finish any task and postponing the time to attend to our needs, can also cause significant psychological discomfort, which is fed by the problems that the person may have. previously.

2. Physical affectation

At the same time that psychological health suffers in cases of systematic procrastination, something that we can also experience is a progressive affectation in the physical health of the person and consequently in the correct functioning of their organism.

Some of the areas in which this gradual physical affectation manifests itself are: greater tiredness and fatigue during the working day and also later, inability to rest properly during free hours, insomnia, muscle pain, fatigue or headaches .

This phenomenon occurs because the psychological discomfort accumulated by the tendency to postpone work usually ends up moving to the physical or psychophysiological sphere, bringing with it physical discomfort.

3. Impact on decision making

Both the psychological and physical problems caused by procrastination can also affect the decision-making of the affected person, both on a personal and psychological level.

This means that a person with a tendency to procrastinate can end up finding himself overworked , which can lead to great difficulties when making decisions correctly due to the fact that he is in an extreme situation.

4. Decreased productivity

Procrastination can also generate, as is evident, a decrease in daily productivity, since the person begins not to finish each of the tasks entrusted to him on time.

This decrease in productivity also affects psychologically, since it can generate frustration and discomfort when the worker realizes that they are not performing at their best in their workplace .

5. Work problems

All the aforementioned effects can occur together, which has an obvious consequence on the person's work performance, which also affects their productivity.

This causes, as is evident, a series of labor problems, since the company also sees its performance decrease, which can endanger, ultimately, the continuity of the worker in his job .

In addition to that, systematic procrastination is also related to the appearance of problems in the work environment, as well as in the relationship and communication with co-workers and superiors.

6. Cognitive impairment

Many cognitive effects can occur when a person tends to procrastinate and develop psychological problems derived from said practice.

Some of these cognitive impairments may be, in addition to the progressive difficulty in managing stress, in working under pressure, and lead to a lack of ability to concentrate .

7. Impact on the interests of the company

The interests of the company or institution in which we work can be compromised when one of its workers tends to procrastinate and does not finish the tasks entrusted to him daily or weekly on time.

This can lead, if this practice is maintained over time, a series of problems for the company that can be to a greater or lesser extent depending on a large number of variables.

8. Organizational difficulty

People who tend to procrastinate usually have notable organizational problems, in fact, this is considered to be one of the most plausible causes or reasons that can explain the phenomenon.

Having organizational difficulties means not being able to establish what needs to be done at all times , not knowing how to organize the week or month in advance in an agenda or diary, and being unable to set short-term or long-term goals.

9. Compromises the work of other colleagues

Just as the objectives of the company are made difficult, with procrastination we can also put the work of other colleagues or our superiors at risk, whenever we do not finish our work on time.

The ultimate consequence of this is a decrease in overall productivity and a problem for the company, since it has to complete certain objectives in a specific time.

10. Communication problems

Procrastination is generally associated with a person's problem when it comes to communicating their problems or asking for help from other colleagues or their superiors.

This communication deficit is another of the problems that can affect the entire company as a whole, since for the job to be done well there must be an optimal level of internal communication in the organization.